2-489-690 - © Fine Art Images/Heritage Images

Louis Blanc, French historian and socialist politician, 19th century. A socialist who favoured reform, Blanc (1811-1882) was actively involved in the Revolution of 1848, after which he became a member of the provisional government. The continuing revolutionary ferment led to him being forced to flee into exile, remaining in England until 1871 when he reurned to France and to politics as amember of the National Assembly. From a private collection.